A data processing method and apparatus, which relate to the computer field and are capable of effectively improving scalability of a database system. The data processing method includes: receiving source code of an external routine, where the source code of the external routine is compiled by using an advanced programming language; compiling the source code to obtain intermediate code, where the intermediate code is a byte stream identifiable to a virtual machine on any operating platform; converting, according to an instruction set on the operating platform, the intermediate code into machine code capable of running on the operating platform; and storing the machine code to a database. The data processing method and apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present invention are used to process data.